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New Article: Bothered?

To be honest, I'm quite bemused by the hand wringing, by the anti Belgian rhetoric, by the demands being made of the owner and his representatives by the 'direction' in which the Club is going, by the "What's happening to my Charlton".

Throughout my life, Charlton has been one of the few constants. From the age of 12, I've attended about 95% of home games and from the age of 16, about 30% of away games. I've had some great times, some fantastic times and times that have made me cry with joy. I've met some fantastic people and made lifetime friendships with some truly wonderful people.

I've spent an absolute fortune following this Club. And I don't regret a penny of it.

Most of the time it's been mediocre at best. But every now and then a match is special. Even rarer, a Season is special. And because most of my time supporting the Club has been mediocre, those special moments are extra special.

The Premier years were great. But to be honest, not as enjoyable as the League One promotion Season, or the Championship winning season or the 80/81 season which is being discussed on another thread. I've seen us win at Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge, Anfield and Highbury. Something I thought I'd never see. But then seeing us score six times at Oakwelll meant exactly the same to me.

The quality of our players has gone up and down over the years. We've bought 'superstars' like Simonsen, Costa and PDC. But seeing Jordan Cousins scoring a goal and kissing his badge last Saturday means more to me. My missus goes mad whenever I watch a game on telly and say "ex Charlton youth". But they will always be that to me. Part of my Club. Part of my passion.

I could go on - and generally do.

My point is that in the 40 odd years I've followed this Club, basically we've been shit. Whatever else has happened in my life, my Saturdays have been generally me driving away from a game thinking "fucking typical" . It's my lot in life. It's something I can't change. And it's something that will continue with me for as long as I live.

Despite being lucky enough to be involved in helping the Club in a small way providing 'added value' as a supporter, I realise that there is nothing I can do in defining the direction in the Club. From the mooring of a ship load of rubber, through the invitation to an African Tribal chief onto the Board right up to Kevin Cash pulling the plug and Duchatalet coming on board. I'm just a fan or part of a group of fans, whose views, opinions and ideas are just that.

My real problem, is that I'm not rich enough. And Roland is. I've spoken to Katrien a couple of times. But she doesn't listen to me. She hangs on Roland's every word. He pays the piper and he calls the tune.

And sorry to say, there is absolutely nothing I can do about it.

So I will continue to go to The Valley, I will continue to buy my season ticket, I will continue to plan away trips with my mates and continue to go on pointless pre season tours in Sweden and Italy and Ireland and Belgium, because in all reality, we will never enjoy a 'proper' European adventure.

And to those fans who are all doom and gloom about the possibility of us playing the likes of Fleetwood next season should the worst case scenario happen, then I just say I can't wait - as it will be league ground 125 for me. And will be a more enjoyable weekend than yet another visit to Huddersfield or Wednesday.

So you youngsters who have only known Charlton since the Premier years and the excitement and possibilities of us moving forward with a wealthy new owner, can I just say......... Dream on.

He's wealthy for a reason. And it's not by spunking 90% of his wealth on a football Club. We've been lucky enough to have one owner like that in my lifetime. We're unlikely to have another one. So be happy with your lot in life. You've not drawn the shortest straw, but it's certainly no where near the longest. Just sit back, accept it and make the most of every single success this Club has.

Good luck to those who think they can influence RD in his 'vision'. I'm happy enough to be proved wrong. But these are the cards we're currently dealt with and we're going to have to play with them for the foreseeable future.

At least we will still have a Club to support next year. And one where I will be purchasing my season ticket for the 41st consecutive season.

And continue to bore my missus with "ex Charlton youth" when Joe Gomez turns out for Chelsea or Liverpool or Arsenal..........or England.

Comments

Good post. I'm not really proper Charlton, but I've had season tickets for me and my boys for a few years now and have grown to love the club.

My question to you would be, can you remember a time when the players seemingly lacked such a sense of team spirit and bond between themselves?

That's what seems to hit me about the place at the moment. A number of the players look completely disinterested, meaning they will go out, do a reasonable job in their position, but don't really truly care about the team and club as a whole.

The fact Cousins kissed the badge was maybe a deliberate statement from him that he wanted to show the fans he really does care, even though some of the others in his team look less concerned about anything other than themselves.

I think that's exactly the problem; I'm not bothered. I don't think it's because I've been spoiled. I'm only twenty-two and so I did start going post-1998 but I've also sat through three seasons (one awful) of League One dross.

I had no commitments last Saturday and could've quite easily gone to the Rotherham game but I didn't bother. I'm not sure if I'll bother going to Norwich or Brentford either. I'm anxious that there may be more disenchanted "twenty-somethings" & teens - the future of our club.

People from all sections of our support are being detached from the club day by day and I'm concerned about the effect that's having. I'm not concerned for the present, I'm concerned for the future.

I don't get the pant wetting that is going on. I don't think I'll ever get it.

I won't attend "The Meeting" and am 100% certain Roland could not care less about fans mobilising against him.

He's ridden a storm of direct action from Liege fans and he certainly won't be swayed by 100-200 fans meeting and sending him a strongly worded email. I doubt he'd blink if 5-6000 got up and walked out after 20mins against Norwich.

I don't have the money to "make him an offer" and I'm pretty sure no-one that actively vents against him does either.

At the moment I am basically going along the line that he is the reason I'll have a team to go and watch next week/year.

He has a vision, it probably won't work but basically we have to suck it up as no white knight is going to come in and rescue us.

Maybe "The Meeting" will get his attention and I'd be happy to be proved wrong. Unfortunately I seriously doubt I will be.

Good post. I'm not really proper Charlton, but I've had season tickets for me and my boys for a few years now and have grown to love the club.

My question to you would be, can you remember a time when the players seemingly lacked such a sense of team spirit and bond between themselves?

That's what seems to hit me about the place at the moment. A number of the players look completely disinterested, meaning they will go out, do a reasonable job in their position, but don't really truly care about the team and club as a whole.

The fact Cousins kissed the badge was maybe a deliberate statement from him that he wanted to show the fans he really does care, even though some of the others in his team look less concerned about anything other than themselves.

I would say some of the championship seasons after relegation from the PL where we had a succession of loan players who didnt give a toss.I still believe at the moment its lack of confidence rather than effort.

Good luck to you @Addickted. Everyone has their opinion and you are entitled to express yours as are others who support your article. Can't say that I agree though.

I disagree with your assertion that the anti Duchatelet feeling is anti Belgium.

Duchatelet is in IMO an owner who knows little or care little about football. It is the incompetent footballing decisions that is deconstructing a squad, replacing decent footballers with poor footballers, throwing together a collection of individuals rather than building a team that is bringing the football at the club backwards. He happens to come from Belgium and misunderstands and misjudges strength of the championship, London local market conditions. He thinks that average and poor network players can survive in the championship. It is clear the majority of them can't. Quite a few of them would struggle in League One. Charlton supporters are not xenophobic as a whole. There are many Charlton heros from all over the world who have played for the club. The criticism is not anti Belgium. A decent owner making sound and competent decisions from any country would be welcome.

Sure, Charlton have been mediocre and rubbish a lot of the time. I totally disagree that Charlton supporters should be settling for that. If Duchatelet had a banner for the network it would have 'Mediocre' all over it. Charlton have been in the Premiership and have aspired to be better. OK, it has not worked out but generally the club has strived to survive and be the best they can. Always to improve, play attractive spirited football by players committed to the club. Half the players in the team won't be here next year and clearly have a bag packed for the next move. It is hard to care about a team full of half committed players who don't care by an owner who allegedly is generally uninterested in winning.

So Duchatelet has made some money in the world of semi conductors, I am sure he did not make money by providing a poor product that a sizeable amount of his customers and the market were not interested in.

It is my opinion, that with the local competition from WHU and the Olympic stadium, other football clubs, theatres, clubs, other leisure pursuits, family commitments, and all the rest of it, that Charlton needs to be striving to better and show ambition as there will not be any point of the club. What enjoyable distraction from real life does the football at Charlton provide ? Why are the next generation of Charlton supporters going to be bothered for a club that has settled for mediocrity.

The fact Cousins kissed the badge was maybe a deliberate statement from him that he wanted to show the fans he really does care, even though some of the others in his team look less concerned about anything other than themselves.

The fact Cousins blanked the manager as well when he celebrated didn't go unnoticed here either .All well and good being wank and having 6-8k following us in League One or wherever from a selfish perspective cos weirdos like us will go whatever But I want us to have a decent amount of support and a team with more spirit than a dried out Keith ChegwinCurbishley put himself forward to assist Guy Luzon and the fact the owners feel that that is not required shows to me they really don't give a flying one about us doing well

I agree with the post above (apart from maybe the belgian stuff). I've been a Charlton fan since the mid seventies when my Dad got tired of my weekly demands to go and see a football match, preferably Chelsea, and took me to the Valley, and I fell in love. I remember it all, the fear when it looked as if we would fold, the relegations, the back to the Valley campaigns, the joy when we got there, and the miracles of the promotions to the top flight under Lennie Lawrence, Curbs and Gritt.But.... no one ever asked me. I paid to get in, went home happy or sad according to what the team served up, and loved them anyway. We've now got what for me is a basically flawed business man, and a head honcho who now has enough money not to listen to advice, and to surround himself by puppets, yes-girls and a philosophy basically written as 'the boss is always right'. He won't listen to me, neither did Murray, Gliksten or Hulyer. And I don't have the money to buy him out.The meeting is a great start if the usual ego's can keep themselves under control, but if RD does'nt listen to his advisors (or they are too cowardly to point out how badly his plan is shaping up here) he won't be paying much attention to the fans.

Disagree almost entirely with the opening post but it was written brilliantly and I really enjoyed reading it, it's always great to read an opposing view articulately conveyed and that's what I hope "the meeting" will produce - I really hope you attend.

I'm starting to think their are actually two classes of supporter, neither better than the other - fans who support the "team" and fans who support the "club". For the former the feelings of the latter at the moment are seemingly incomprehensible as this post sums up.

Addickted absolutely nail on the head with every part, I don't believe people are intending to come across as anti belguim in the way they are maybe more time should be considered in what is posted as I believe it's weakening their point of view and as alienating as when the post says heart and soul ripped from the club

It's a rousing quote it's emotional but it is thus far unproven to be the case and shouldn't be used any more if more support to the other view is required

I'm starting to think their are actually two classes of supporter, neither better than the other - fans who support the "team" and fans who support the "club". For the former the feelings of the latter at the moment are seemingly incomprehensible as this post sums up.

amongst all the posts I think this best exPlains the difference in opinions

Excellent post Addikted. Heartfelt and sums up about 80% of the reason I support Charlton. The other 20%, and the reason why I'm in the "worried enough to go to a public meeting albeit without a pitchfork" category is that throughout all the years of shite (your own description) I at least knew and sympathised with what I was fighting for. Now, I'm deeply worried that the club I have supported and that has endured all the trials and tribulations may be turned into something that I just don't and can't care about. The times they are a changing as some other eccentric old fella used to sing and I am realising the older I get that change is inevitable and sometimes desirable. But I just dont like the smell of this.

Good post Addikted although I admit that I'm one of those who is worried by the current management of our club, but there is another thing that I wonder about and that is if we won today and next week against Norwich, which I know is unlikely, but if we did would the majority of us put our trust back with RD rather than with The Trust and those organising this meeting?

Totally support this post and it needed to be said and I think this sums up the silent majority. We just love supporting Charlton come what may ; the ups and downs of a football team ...any football team, is a metaphor for life. I think the whole thing has been worked up into a froth and the team needs time to move on with their season . It's a game of football not some political injustice that needs to be stopped.

Nice post addicted. I admire your passion and that of others like you.

I am however in the opposite camp. I have "fallen out of love" with Charlton (having attended the first three home games this season) but find it difficult to quantify the reasons on paper. It doesn't seem to me to be the Charlton anymore that I have followed since my first game at The Valley in 1955. I cant relate to the majority of the current players, some of whom are short term loanees who to me are disinterested. I cant relate to the Business Model that is not applicable, in my eyes, to soccer. If the problem was simply one of poor results alone, I would still attend, having, like many people have stated on here, seen worst teams than the current one. The sad thing is I cant see it improving on or off the pitch. I have no hope. I cant see the owners vision for the future and therefore I cant buy into it.

I didn't just turn off an "attendance" switch in my brain. I just suddenly felt I could do more enjoyable activities on a Saturday, and that is sad. I should miss the buzz of getting up on a Saturday, thinking of nothing but the game, setting off from home at 1000am and watching my team; but I don't.

The three games I saw this season followed the same pattern. We would take the lead and sit back and allow the opposition to attack us, attack us and attack us again. I would be constantly looking at my watch, willing it to move to the 90th minute. That cant be entertainment, when you are praying for the "entertainment" to finish.

Today, I will go to my local, watch the early game, go home and watch the results develop on Sky. I will of course be keen to see our result. If we lose, I shall simply feel sad for five minutes and rue what could, and should be. In the past if we lost, I would be upset all weekend at least. The "Charlton" fire in my belly has gone.

I support the actions of the Trust to call a meeting but will defer any comments until I know the outcome, the attendance numbers and the agreed way forward.